90 Reports and Proceedings, 



of the Avon valley between Tewkesbury and Eugby, and of the 

 Severn valley above and below the town of Worcester, endeavoured 

 to show that there was a balance of evidence in favour of the exis- 

 tence of an upper and lower platform of drift in the main valley of 

 the Lower Avon, the upper one being of marine origin, and probably 

 belonging to the same epoch as the stratified beds of gravel in the 

 neighbourhood of Worcester, which contain marine shells and mam- 

 malian remains, whilst the lower one, of freshwater origin, had been 

 derived from the former by fluviatile action, as supposed by the late 

 Prof. Strickland. Further, that there was no evidence to warrant 

 the supposition of the existence of high and low-level river-gravels 

 in those portions of the Severn and Avon valleys under review, and 

 that the apparent absence of any freshwater shells in the gravels of 

 the Severn valley between Bridgnorth and Tewkesbury led to the 

 inference that the freshwater gravels of the Avon were not repre- 

 sented in the adjoining portions of the Severn valley, although 

 remains of some of the same species of mammalia occurred in both 

 localities. After stating his opinion that the time had not yet ar- 

 rived for indulging in theoretical speculations concerning the pheno- 

 mena of the Drifts of the Upper and Lower series, exhibited in so 

 small an area as the one under consideration, the author concluded 

 by expressing hopes that the facts which he had brought forward 

 would contribute their share of help to the further elucidation of the 

 question. 



3. " On the Surface-deposits in the neighbourhood of Eugby." 

 By J. M. Wilson, Esq., F.G.S. 



The author commenced by noticing the general configuration of 

 the surface of the district under review, which he stated to consist 

 of an elevated plateau, bounded and rendered irregular in its out- 

 lines by valleys. The district consists chiefly of Lower Lias, with a 

 few patches of Middle Lias. The surface-deposits on the plateau, 

 and on similar high lands in the neighbourhood, consist of: — 1. Flinty 

 or quartzose drift ; 2. Sugary sand, with grains of chalk ; 3. Clay, 

 with pebbles, principally of chalk, and distinctly striated. The valleys 

 bounding the plateau were described as belonging to two systems, 

 those of the Avon and Leam. The bottom of each valley is generally 

 a narrow strip of alluvial soil, bordered by sand in some places, and 

 by drift in others. The author has bored down into the surface- 

 deposits in the valley of Low Morton. In one boring, which reached 

 a depth of 53 feet, he stopped in a greyish clay containing chalk- 

 particles ; in another, through similar clay, to a depth of 57 feet, the 

 rock was reached, and fragments of limestone were brought up. 



Discussion. — Mr. Searles V. Wood, Jun., bad long been aware of the existence 

 of the Middle Glacial Sand near Rugby. He pointed out the difference in the 

 fauna of the sands of the Severn valley below the glacial clay and those of similar 

 deposits in the east of England, but thought they might, notwithstanding, be of the 

 same age. 



Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys was doubtful as to the authenticity of some of the shells 

 which bad been brought to Mr. Maw. The fossil shells from the Severn valley, 

 Wolverhampton, Manchester, and Mocl Tryfaen, were nearly identical, and indicated 

 raised beaches. He tbougbt it possible that a definite line of such iDeaches might 

 eventually be recognized through that part of England. 



